Mangialardo and Sons
Neighborhood: Capitol Hill/Southeast

1317 Pennsylvania Ave SE
Washington, DC 20003

Sean G. writes: I first paid this place a visit when I was about 5 years old and my Dad was working as a journalist covering Capitol Hill. We hiked for what seemed forever (and frankly still does - it's a haul from the Hill office buildings on foot - but it's an…

Cafe Ole
Neighborhood: Tenleytown

4000 Wisconsin Ave NW
Washington, DC 20016

alexis g. writes: Cafe Ole is a great place to visit when you want some Mediterranean food, but don't want somewhere too hip or expensive. The prices here are very reasonable. It's the more affordable alternative to places like Jaleo or Zaytinya. There isn't too much…

The Big Hunt
Neighborhood: Dupont Circle

1345 Connecticut Ave NW
Washington, DC 20036

Kathleen M. writes: People always told me that the Big Hunt was made for me. Long beer list, comfortable atmosphere, what more could I want?

Luckily my friends were pretty right on. The beer list is indeed impressive and I will happily return again and again to sample…

Kuma
Neighborhood: Tenleytown

4441 Wisconsin Ave NW
Washington, DC 20016

Matthew K. writes: Allow me to make a broad generalization: combining cuisines that seem similar usually makes for crappy restaurants.

Kuma is a big exception. Don't be put off - as I was at first - because their logo looks like a cat's pawprint. The Korean food is…

Mark's Duck House

6184 Arlington Blvd
Falls Church, VA 22044

Kevin L. writes: I love the magic of dim sum.  If you go with the right crew, you can easily go from just sitting down at your table to having a whole spread of steaming hot yummy Chinese dishes to gorge yourself on in under five minutes.  This was exactly how we…

Bourbon
Neighborhood: Glover Park

2348 Wisconsin Ave NW
Washington, DC 20007

Jennifer S. writes: I had a first (blind) date here over a year ago. It was a first date of sorts for me and Bourbon too. The date didn't work out, but I enjoyed the place immensely. Even on a Wed evening this little joint was jumping! The food I saw arriving to the…

Secondi
Neighborhood: Dupont Circle

1702 Connecticut Ave NW
Washington, DC 20009

Cynthia R. writes: I'd really like to tell you about Secondi, really. But my sense of self-preservation in the persuit of super-cool vintage and used clothing won't allow it

I don't want ya'll up in there, picking up all the really great deals that I have my eye on. So…

Bangkok Bistro
Neighborhood: Georgetown

3251 Prospect St NW
Washington, DC 20007

Sarah F. writes: Came here last Friday and was able to grab a seat at the bar right away which is not always easy to do at most places in Georgetown on a Friday night. I odered the California Roll, Shrimp Tempura Roll and the Tom Yum soup. Everything was very yummy!…

Union Station

50 Massachusetts Avenue N.E.
Washington, DC 20050

Laura V. writes: Ah, there is nothing like Union Station at Christmastime.  It's all decorated with the obligatory holiday trimmings, but also, this year's decorations include a Norwegian holiday theme.  There's even a model train running through the East Hall.  As…

Guarapo

2039 Wilson Blvd
Arlington, VA 22201

Mike Z. writes: I have just returned from Gua-Rapo with a buddy of mine on this Saturday evening, and I liked where I was.  The environment was a perfect balance of chic and a bit "dirty" from the spilled drinks by the bar, smoke, and dim lighting (and I like things…

Bangkok 54

2919 Columbia Pike
Arlington, VA 22204

kainanny c. writes: best thai food i've had in a LONG time!!!!

i have three words for you. spicy. basil. calamari.

i have seriously died and gone to heaven with a huge plate of this squid sitting in front of me. i actually felt bad for my friend sitting next to me, who…

The Bread Line

1751 Pennsylvania Ave NW
Washington, DC 20006

Megan K. writes: Because of where I work, I can't normally get into DC for lunch.  After waiting all year, I finally waited one more week so I could go on a Thursday for the soft shell crab sandwich...which turned out to be $15. Now, I was also eager to try the egg…

Haandi Indian Restaurant

1222 W Broad St
Falls Church, VA 22046

Jake K. writes: Oh Haandi, how you perplex me.  Like an ugly as hell drunk lay that rocked my socks off the night before, you leave me torn between going back or just cutting you loose.

Your food was tasty.  Your staff courteous despite my wife and I being dressed…

Del Merei Grille

3106 Mount Vernon Avenue
Alexandria, VA 22305

PC W. writes: I'm still appalled that that the dish I had even exists and that I, this one-time star reader in Pizza Hut's Book It!  Program, may be literacy-impaired.  Or maybe I'm just so much of a carnivore and carbivore that vegetable words don't enter my…

Capital Grille

601 Pennsylvania Ave NW
Washington, DC 20004

Tony P. writes: This is a classic 5 star steakhouse franchise.  It doesn't get much better than this.  Classic dark wood and leather decor with nice cozy tables.  As with most premier steakhouses, I always tell folks to bring your appetite and your credit card.…

The Wonderland Ballroom
Neighborhood: Columbia Heights

1101 Kenyon St NW
Washington, DC 20009

Jim B. writes: Pull up in a cab.
No cover.
Nice crowd.
Good beers.
Stella.
Hoegaarden.
Guinness.
Car bomb?
Yes please.
Cool jukebox.
Pixies.
Bowie.
Run D.M.C.
Christmas in Hollis?
No please.
Clean bathroom.
Car bomb?
Yes please.
Cross dressers.
Car bomb?
Yes please.
Viking helmet!!!…

Degrees Bar & Lounge at the Ritz Carlton Georgetown
Neighborhood: Georgetown

3100 South St NW
Washington, DC 20007

Stef W. writes: No matter the weather, Degrees is a hot place to go!  The bar is intimate and beautiful (brick wall, fireplace and modern, but comfortable, furniture).  I've come here during the day and late at night, and have always been treated very well.  Some…

Bd's Mongolian Barbeque

7201 Wisconsin Ave
Bethesda, MD 20814

Jeff W. writes: 3.5 stars

While Bd's is borderline culturally offensive, and questionable with regards to food safety practices, I really do like it a lot.  Your experience is what you make it, so as long as you don't mind a few stray shrimp or peanuts finding their…

2941 Restaurant

2941 Fairview Park Dr
Falls Church, VA 22042

Jennifer S. writes: **********************UPD ATE********************** **********
Met the new chef...loved him. The food is still wondrous and now they are offering brunch again. A must!  The bad news...no more cotton candy (I hope he comes up with something inventive…

Little Fountain Cafe
Neighborhood: Adams Morgan

2339 18th St NW
Washington, DC 20009

Emi N. writes: They do a great job on modern American fare; you can tell they put a good amount of thought into the food they serve. Everything comes out tasty and there's a good variety of choices.

It's a small venue, so call ahead. Very intimate place, but it…

Coppi's Restaurant
Neighborhood: U Street Corridor

1414 U Street NW
Washington, DC 20009

Chloe F. writes: It seems I am the only one that has an issue with paying $26 for a bowl of pasta or $25 for a gourmet pizza. Maybe I am just not rolling in enough "dough". Wow, I'm funny.

Yes, Coppi's is all organic. But we are half way through 2007, and organic food…

Woodmont Grill

7715 Woodmont Ave
Bethesda, MD 20814

Catherine H. writes: You really find out what a restaurant is made of when they screw something up. As we found out recently, Houston's is made of above average stuff:

My mom is a huge fan of Houston's tortilla soup, so a few weeks back on her birthday she said she'd like…

Yosaku Japanese Restaurant
Neighborhood: Tenleytown

4712 Wisconsin Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20016

Lauren S. writes: Lunch special me! Ok, fine I have only frequented this little slice of delight once, so perhaps my review is skewed, but I loved every bite of my $10 fish extravaganza.  Yep, that's right kids.  For 10 buckaroos, you get all the salad bar you want…

Russia House

1800 Connecticut Ave NW
Washington, DC 20009

Jason C. writes: After dining at Buca di Beppo, my friend thought we should stop by here for a few drinks. It looked like a pretty swank place on the outside, so I was game.

We walked in and were immediately confused. There was a hostess stand sans hostess, and there…

Yes! Organic Market
Neighborhood: Adams Morgan

1825 Columbia Rd NW
Washington, DC 20009

sarah y. writes: No! I cannot afford to shop here. This location was really small, but had a fairly good selection of food and beauty products (minus the produce). However, it is far more expensive than even Whole Paycheck. Example: Almond butter is $5.99 at WP or…

El Paso Cafe

4235 N Pershing Dr
Arlington, VA 22203

MiRIAM w. writes: Perfect for a post-pedicure pick me up!

The kitschy atmosphere and tasty margaritas, along with the tacos are high points and what I'll order next time I'm in this 'hood.

The chips are nothing special (from a bag, perhaps?) The chile con queso is also…

Taqueria Poblano

2503 N Harrison Street
Arlington, VA 22207

Tabetha J. writes: A great neighborhood hangout. Families, couples, high-school kids, and hip seniors. Typical suburban yuppie crowd with a taste of city flair. The food here is excellent and not served in family-sized portions which is quite refreshing. I can go…

Ollie's Trolley

432 11th St NW
Washington, DC 20004

Chloe F. writes: When I used to work at a restaurant a few blocks from here, Oliie's Trolley gave our overworked, slave-driven, border-line alcoholic summer servers a post-work retreat.
Free popcorn and stiff drinks? woo hoo!
Their bar fare is pretty good, though I…

Pho Cyclo

8102 Arlington Blvd
Falls Church, VA 22042

MiRIAM w. writes: By my estimation, the penultimate bowl of pho in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area is served at Pho 75. There, the focus is on one thing and one thing only: pho. As I've said in the past, Pho 75 is the really phoking deal.

To be sure, Pho Cyclo…

Pharmacy Bar
Neighborhood: Adams Morgan

2337 18th St NW
Washington, DC 20009

alexis g. writes: The Pharmacy Bar has become one of the D.C. punk rock scene's most popular hangouts. You can go there pretty much any night of the week and see members of Darkest Hour, the Goons or Majority Rule tossing back a gimlet or two. The first time I went…

Sakoontra Restaurant

12300 Price Club Plaza
Fairfax, VA 22030

Kimberly V. writes: Sakoontra is my favorite place for Thai food!  The interior is large and modern looking.  Prices are very reasonable and the food is very VERY good.  My favorite items are:

1) Yum watercress salad - Deep fried watercress, sauteed scallops, shrimp, and…

The Majestic

911 King St
Alexandria, VA 22314

Karman L. writes: Came here for the Royal Pick lunch ($12 on any one item on the lunch menu - plus a soda / ice tea).  Bar only.

I had the fried soft-shelled crab sandwich!!! TO DIE FOR!!! This is the first time I had soft-shelled crab on a sandwich.  It was so tasty I…

Lebanese Taverna
Neighborhood: Woodley Park

2641 Connecticut Ave NW
Washington, DC 20008

Tom D. writes: 3.5 stars
One of my favorite dining experiences was a number of years ago at Lebanese Taverna. I had ordered a 1999 Lyton Springs Ridge Zinfandel -- and the waiter came back with a 1994 Ride Monte Bello. I told him it was the incorrect bottle -- he…

Gifford's Ice Cream and Candy Co.

555 11th Street NW
Washington, DC 20004

PC W. writes: I love these ice cream places that have a revolving door of innovative flavors.  I had a taste of the delicious roasted coconut but decided to go with a single scoop of peppermint stick with (free) chocolate sprinkles.  Pricey at $4.20 after tax but…

Matsutake Hibachi Steak & Sushi

4121 Wilson Blvd
Arlington, VA 22203

Takaki K. writes: A Korean-run sushi restaurant.  Went for saturday lunch buffet.  Sushi was pretty good in buffet standard.  Fish was not bad, and it wasn't one of those sushi buffets where you get stuffed with rice because fish is so thin.

They have about 7 nigiri…

Han Sung Oak Restaurant

6341 Columbia Pike
Falls Church, VA 22041

Sam R. writes: Let's see ... this is my mom's go to restaurant for Korean food. And if you know Korean mothers, it goes without saying that 9 out of 10 times they complain about SOMETHING at all Korean restaurants ... bland, salty, spicy, not enough this and to…

Teaism
Neighborhood: Penn Quarter

400 8th St NW
Washington, DC 20004

Kevin L. writes: Remind me why I don't set up my mobile office at the Navy Memorial/Archives Teaism more often, please?  It's so much more open and spacious than the one up by Dupont.  At 1700 on a Thursday afternoon, it's virtually deserted downstairs.  And...…

Five Guys Famous Burgers & Fries

653 Center Point Way
Gaithersburg, MD 20883

karan s. writes: I was day dreaming of a five guys burger and fries while I was driving down to MD last weekend.i called my bro in Cali and told him to yelp a five guys in gaithersburg. ( thanks bro)

You folks think the pomme frites fries are good, HELL NO!!!!!

Five…

Los Tios Grill

2615 Mount Vernon Avenue
Alexandria, VA 22301

Mary Kay S. writes: Laura V. and I have decided to embark on a sure-to-be-amazing South of the Border Culinary Discovery Tour, and Los Tios had the honor of being our first stop.  My husband graciously joined us. We came early on MLK day, early being 6 pm.  FYI -- this…

Amina Thai

5065 Nicholson Ln
Rockville, MD 20852

Wayne C. writes: I've seen these ethnic Thai specialty places pop up like a bad herpes infection. Places like the punny Thaiphoon, then Thai Tanic (I wish that was a joke. It's not.) Judging by the theme, I was half-expecting the next Thai-themed restaurant to be…